Strengthening Quality Seed Potato Production in Sri Lanka through Viable Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Kuruppu I.V., Amarakoon A. R. W. M. M. D., and Fernando S. P.
ABSTRACT
Among various inputs, seeds are inevitably critical for successful crop production, farm productivity, and profitability. Potato requires inputs intensively for its cultivation in comparison with other field crops. Only the seed accounts for more than 50% of the total cultivation cost due to the scarcity of locally produced quality seed potatoes at a reasonable price. One of the sustainable solutions to resolve this issue is to form viable Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in order to strengthen the production of quality seed potato in Sri Lanka. In light of this, the central objective of this study is to determine the prospects in initiating PPPs to improve the production of quality seed potato in Sri Lanka. Study adopts a normative approach. Two hundred and seventy six potato farmers were selected using multi-stage random sampling covering four DS Division in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts. Pre-tested structured questionnaire and focus groups were deployed to gather data. Further, key informant interviews with 35 entities of both public and private entities were conducted. ANOVA was carried out to assess the cost efficiency of different seed types. Study identified that, provision of quality inputs and dissemination of technical know-how are the two main aspects expected from the PPPs. Mini tuber and Generation Zero (G0) production should be limited only to public entity while, PPP should form for production of G1 and further continuation. Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) approach is an option for the government to outsource public projects to the private sector. This enhances the efficient resource allocation between both parties. Further, farmers could reduce total cost of production by 10% using locally produced pre-basic seeds. However, strategies should be aligned with the best possible manner in order to meet the requirement of many stakeholders.
KEYWORDS: Build-operate-transfer, Public-private partnerships, Seed potato